Sniffer dogs to help track poachers
Park rangers at Mapungubwe National Park have reinforced their anti-poaching operations with two sniffer dogs which were donated by Woolworths recently
At the back is Conrad Strausse (Mapungubwe National Park, Park Manager) with Louis Lemmer, Charlet and Susan Otte from the Honorary Rangers together with David Malatji and Dumisani Mahumane (Mapungubwe National Park, Rangers) with the two sniffer dogs, Stacey and Mascot, that were donated by Woolworths over the weekend.
POLOKWANE – Divhani Maremba, Northern Region communications manager of Mapungubwe National Park, said the dogs, Stacey and Mascot, have been trained to track human scent, to sniff out rhino horn and ammunition, as well as protecting their human colleagues.
She said the dogs also possessed natural instincts that were further enhanced by training and will assist greatly in the park where cases of smuggling, poaching and border jumping are prevalent.
“They are able to overcome counter-measures where poachers might try to confuse the dog and this makes them incredibly useful and important members of the anti-poaching teams.
“The dogs will assist in searching vehicles entering and exiting the park, tracking and patrolling, including fence, river line and border areas,” she said.
The park manager of Mapungubwe National Park, Conrad Strausse, said: “we are truly excited about the addition to our Ranger Corps, which will assist us greatly in our conservation efforts, not only in Mapungubwe National Park, but also within the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Area”.
